statement727

Human Rights Council - 29th Regular Session

Item 2: Response to the Report of the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights on Discrimination and violence against individuals based on their sexual orientation and gender identity

22 June 2015

Australia applauds the High Commissioner’s report on discrimination and violence based on sexual orientation and gender identity.

Australia believes that everyone is entitled to respect, dignity, the opportunity to participate in society, and the protection of the law regardless of their sexual orientation, gender identity or intersex status.

While noting progress since 2011, Australia condemns continuing acts of violence, torture, discrimination and other denials of human rights of LGBTI persons.

Australia wishes to highlight the finding that, in eight countries, the death penalty may still be applied in cases of consensual homosexual conduct. Australia urges all countries to end discrimination against LGBTI people and to abolish the death penalty through formal moratoriums and accession to the Second Optional Protocol to the ICCPR.

Australia thanks the High Commissioner for noting our significant progress in ensuring legal protections for the rights of LGBTI individuals. In 2013, Australia introduced express legislative prohibitions against discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation, gender identity and intersex status, and Guidelines outlining how individuals can change their sex/gender information on personal records held by Australian Government departments.

We note the recommendation on data collection. The Australian Human Rights Commission is intending to undertake a scoping project exploring available and potential data documenting rates of violence against LGBTI people in Australia. Is the High Commissioner aware of other such initiatives?